Drew Valentine and his brother Denzel Valentine have a lifelong passion for athletics. While Drew is making history as a basketball coach, his brother is setting new records as a player. The Valentine brothers come from an athletic background, which fueled their enthusiasm for sports. They are currently making waves in the basketball world, having been coached by their father since they were young. Drew Valentine has been the head coach of the Loyola Ramblers men’s basketball team at Loyola University Chicago since 2021.
Valentine played forward for Oakland University from 2009 to 2013, after which he became a coach. From 2013 to 2015, the American basketball coach worked as a graduate manager at Michigan State. After two seasons at State, he worked as an assistant coach at Oakland University, his alma mater. He started as an assistant coach at Loyola-Chicago in 2017 before becoming the head coach. Furthermore, he became the youngest NCAA Division I men’s basketball head coach when he was named at the age of 29.
Brother of Drew Valentine, Denzel Valentine
Denzel Valentine was born on November 16, 1993 and is two years younger than his brother Drew Valentine. Denzel, Valentine’s younger brother, is an American professional basketball player for the Sydney Kings in the Australian National Basketball League. The JW Sexton High School graduate got an early start in his profession, often tutored by his father and encouraged by his brother.
Furthermore, Denzel played college basketball at Michigan State University, where he established himself as a key player. He has won multiple Player of the Year honors from major organizations such as NBC Sports, Basketball Times, NABC and USA Today due to his outstanding mobility and talent. His impact in college elevated him from a possible undrafted player to a top pick in the NBA draft. He was selected 14th overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 2016 NBA Draft. He was at the club until 2021, and then joined the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In addition to these, Denzel left an indelible impression on two other clubs, the Utah Jazz and the Maine Celtics. Additionally, he was part of the USA Senior Men’s National Team at the 2015 Pan American Games where they won bronze. Interestingly, Denzel is also a rapper, and he released his first album in February 2021.
All about the coach’s parents
Drew Valentine, a resident of Lansing, Michigan, was born on May 25, 1991 to Carlton and Kathy Valentine. His mother, Kathy, is a retired teacher who taught in East Lansing Public Schools for three decades. Similarly, Drew’s father, Carlton, is an enthusiastic basketball fan who has turned his children into basketball stars. DeMatha Catholic High School students played college basketball at Michigan State from 1984-1988.
During his undergraduate career, he led the team to two NCAA tournament appearances and was team captain during his senior year. Regardless, he currently coaches the Boys Varsity Basketball team at Lansing Sexton High School.
Categories: Entertaintment
Source: HIS Education